Having been stuck on 1,999 winners since July 4th, William Buick brought up his 2,000th winner in style when El Cordobes (7/2) was the two-length winner of the Group 2 Princess Of Wales’s Stakes (Sponsored by The Kingdon Of Bahrain), the feature contest on day one of the Debenhams July Festival at Newmarket today.

The 36-year-old rode his first winner back in 2006 and went on to be crowned champion apprentice jointly with David Probert in 2008. He has since gone on to twice take the jockeys championship (2022 and 2023) and partnered seven UK classic winners as well as numerous big races around the world in his role as retained rider to Godolphin.

For good measure, the Norwegian-born Buick quickly made it 2,001 winners aboard Crimson Rose (7/2) in the following race, the British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes and then 2,002 aboard Opera Ballo (11/8 favourite) in the Listed Edmondson Hall Sir Henry Cecil Stakes.

A lot of hard work, early mornings and late nights but you just keep going

On riding his 2,000th career winner William Buick said: "It means a lot, of course. It really tells me and everyone else that I've been doing this for quite a long time!

"It was a thing I wasn't really aware of until fairly recently. You never really know when it's going to happen but for it to happen at Newmarket’s July Course, my home track, for Godolphin, for Charlie in the Princess of Wales's made it all extra special.

"I'm grateful for it to happen here and I'm grateful to my family and all my supporters, all the owners and trainers, stable staff and all the great horses along the way. Without the support it could never happen.

"It's a big team and we all know what it takes to get to the races itself. There's a lot goes into it, a lot of hard work, early mornings and late nights but you just keep going and always look for the next one."

The Derby

Asked to pick the most special of his 2,000 winners, Buick said: "The Derby would be the standout win. I've been fortunate to ride some great horses for great people over the years but if I had to pick one it would be the Derby."

When asked which race he wants to win the most to tick off the list, Buick said: "There's loads I haven't won," before adding: "The Oaks."

The jockey told ITV Racing: “I am very proud and my thanks go to a lot of people – my family first and foremost, without them you can’t do it. Also, thanks go to all the owners, trainers and stable staff who have helped me over the years, obviously including Charlie (Appleby) and Godolphin over the last 10 years.

“It is a great achievement and has been hanging over me for a while. To do it at the July Meeting in the Princess Of Wales’s Stakes for Charlie and Godolphin means the world to me.”

On the success of El Cordobes, Buick added: “Obviously the favourite (Ghostwriter) came out but this horse really deserved it. At York the trip was wrong and I rode him wrong at Newbury. He is an exciting horse and has a bit of a kick – I am delighted with him.”

Pedigree

On El Cordobes, trainer Charlie Appleby said: "We paid a few quid for him. He's got a pedigree that you can like but he's a horse that could just become one of our stable's international travellers in what he's achieving.

"I stepped him up to the mile and six there at York for one reason only. I thought maybe he is a Melbourne Cup horse but I think he told us there that he wasn't. Needless to say, coming back to the mile and a half we were confident again. Quick ground - he loves it and it was a great ride by William (Buick, jockey).

"It wasn't a tactical race but they didn't go an end to end gallop and he was in the position there which if he hadn't got the horse underneath him to pick up then it could have been a bit tricky. But he had the right horse and where we go next? I'd imagine we'll go travelling with him."

On William Buick's 2,000th career winner, Appleby continued: "I'm delighted for William. After Sandown last week I said to William, let's just keep the powder dry and get it knocked out at Newmarket. What better place to do it - it's our local track and more importantly it's William's day.

“What he's achieved for Godolphin, for myself and the team, it's great to be able to give William his 2,000th winner here.

"First and foremost he's a friend, our families are friends so I'm delighted for them as well as for William but as a professional what better man to have on your side than William?"

The trainer told ITV Racing: “Masar in the Derby (2018) will always go down as a great ride by William because of the occasion and he’s also been brilliant at the Breeders’ Cup on many occasions.

“We are very lucky to have William as part of our team and congratulations go to him and all his family. It’s a huge achievement and long may it continue.”